Breaking Barriers: Luna’s Story
By the time I turned fourteen, I had already witnessed the tumultuous coup d'état in the Gaza Strip, the Arab Spring in Damascus, and survived three vicious Israeli wars. I grew up in an environment where escaping the horrors of warfare was a regular occurrence. Dreaming of a college education or a professional career felt like an impossible fantasy. But I was an ambitious young woman, and I knew that deep within me, I had the potential to turn this dream into a reality. The only thing standing in my way was the means to do so.
Growing up in underdeveloped and conflict-ridden countries provided very few opportunities for advancement. The relentless scourges of violence, political repression, social regression, and skyrocketing unemployment rates were the formidable obstacles that thwarted not only my personal dreams and the prosperity of entire generations of Palestinian youth but the potential of our entire nation.
Despite the dire circumstances, I fought tooth and nail to seize every opportunity that came my way. However, the harsh reality was that the socioeconomic impediments to my success would remain a part of my life if I continued to stay in Gaza. So, I chose to seek a more feasible path towards long-term growth, and decided to pursue an education in the United States.
After a strenuous year of submitting dozens of applications to American schools, I faced either waitlists or received incredibly expensive offers. Finally, I earned a generous scholarship from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, but I was still unable to afford the enrollment. This is when charities stepped in to remove financial barriers and ensure that disadvantaged students have access to their basic right to education. Thanks to the support of The Bseisu Foundation and Amideast, I was able to close the tuition gap and graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science, Peace Studies, and Business Management.
Charity scholarships play a crucial role in providing underprivileged students with a stepping stone to pursue their career aspirations that would otherwise be nearly impossible to attain. They level the playing field for students who lack the proper resources compared to their more affluent peers. The Bseisu Foundation, along with other organisations, works toward this goal, not only for students but also for women, children, and other underrepresented groups who deserve assistance.
Today, I am the Head of Business Relationships at one of Canada’s leading organisations in the lending industry. My role involves advocating for underserved consumers, enhancing financial innovation, and providing valuable services to fintech companies, all with the aim of reshaping the future of finance.
My personal success would not have been possible without the support I received from The Bseisu Foundation and Amideast. My story represents just a fraction of how charities can help transform one’s future from limited to limitless.
- Written by Luna
